India gears up for its first digital census in 2027, with caste enumeration making headlines across the nation. Announced by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs on June 4, 2025, the delayed census will conclude by March 1, 2027, ending a 16-year gap since the last population count in 2011. For the first time in independent India, caste data will be officially collected during the census, signaling a significant change in data transparency and social policy formulation. The census will be conducted in two phases under the provisions of the Census Act, 1948. While most of India will follow a March 1, 2027 reference date, snow-bound areas like Ladakh and parts of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand will use October 1, 2026 as their benchmark. This landmark exercise will influence future delimitation processes, women’s reservation policies, and caste-based affirmative action. Political leaders like Rahul Gandhi have already voiced concerns over delays and potential misuse of data, while southern states like Tamil Nadu fear losing parliamentary seats due to outdated population figures. With an estimated cost of over ₹13,000 crores and involving nearly 30 lakh enumerators, the 2027 Census promises to be one of the largest digital exercises in the world. It aims to offer an X-ray of India’s complex socal structure, paving the way for more inclusive policymaking. Stay updated with Democratic News TV as we bring you exclusive insights into India’s biggest data mission yet.
KEY WORDS: India Census 2027 Digital Census India Caste Enumeration 2027 Population Survey India Delimitation of Lok Sabha Women’s Reservation Bill First Digital Census NPR Update 2027 Census Act 1948 OBC Caste Census Rahul Gandhi on Caste Census MK Stalin Delimitation Protest BJP Census Policy 2027 Census Schedule Snow-Bound Areas Census Self-Enumeration Portal National Population Register Southern States Delimitation Census Training for Enumerators Home Ministry Census Announcement
00:29Democratic News TV. I'm Sibhnath. In today's episode, we bring you exclusive
00:36coverage on India's upcoming 2027 census, the first digital census in the
00:42country's history, featuring caste enumeration for the first time since
00:46independence. We'll explore the political, social and constitutional
00:51implications of this landmark exercise and what it means for India's future.
00:56India is set to conduct its first digital census in 2027, marking a
01:03significant milestone in the nation's demographic history. The delayed exercise,
01:08originally scheduled for 2021, will now be carried out after an unprecedented 16
01:14year gap since the last census in 2011. This census will not only be fully
01:21digitized but also include caste enumeration for the first time since
01:25independence, a move that has sparked both support and controversy. The decision
01:31to include caste data was announced by the Union Cabinet on 30th April 2025 under
01:38Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. It represents a major shift in policy as
01:44caste has been excluded from official population counts since 1941. The
01:50government argues that this data will help better understand social disparities and
01:55improve welfare programs targeting marginalized communities. The census will
02:01be conducted in two phases. The first phase, house listing and housing schedule, will
02:07begin tentatively in early 2026 and continue until February 2027. The second phase,
02:15population enumeration, will take place in February and conclude on 1st March 2027, which is the reference date
02:23date for most of the country. However, snowbound regions like Ladakh, parts of Jammu, Anamb, Kashmir,
02:31Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand will have their reference date set for 1st October 2026 due to logistical challenges.
02:40This census comes at a politically sensitive time. It will serve as the basis for redrawing Lok Sabha and State Assembly
02:49constituencies under Article 82 of the Constitution, which mandates readjustment after every census.
02:57The current delimitation of seats is based on the 1971 census and the new data could significantly alter the political landscape,
03:05particularly favoring states with higher population growth rates.
03:09Southern states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnatak and Andhra Pradesh have expressed concerns over the potential
03:17dilution of their parliamentary representation. These states have successfully controlled population growth,
03:24unlike many northern states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Rajasthan, where populations have surged.
03:31Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has accused the central government of attempting to reduce southern states' influence in national politics.
03:41The issue is further complicated by the Women's Reservation Act, which provides for 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislatures.
03:52The implementation of this law is tied to the delimitation process, which in turn depends on the release of the 2027 census data.
04:02Opposition parties, including the Congress, are pushing for immediate implementation, while the government has indicated delays.
04:10Cast enumeration itself is a contentious topic.
04:14While some argue it will provide crucial insights into the socio-economic realities of various groups,
04:21others fear it may depend social divisions or fail to translate into meaningful affirmative action.
04:28There are also questions about how the data will be categorized,
04:32whether all castes will be listed individually or grouped into broader categories like OBC,
04:38Other Backward Classes , Scheduled Castes and Cent .
04:44The socio-economic and caste census of 2011 had collected caste data but was never officially released due to accuracy concerns.
04:55This time, the government insists that the process will be transparent and comprehensive.
05:01Around 30 lakh enumerators, including school teachers, will be trained to collect data using a mobile application developed specifically for the census.
05:13Critics have pointed out that the budget allocated for the census in the 2025-26 fiscal year 574.80 crore rupees is far below the 13,000 crore rupees expected to be needed.
05:28However, officials claim this can be resolved through supplementary funding.
05:33The census will also offer citizens the option of self-enumeration via a portal,
05:39though this feature will only be available to those who have updated their details in the National Population Register .
05:47The NPR update, which was supposed to coincide with the 2021 census, remains pending, raising concerns about the eventual compilation of the National Register of Citizens ,
06:00a controversial initiative opposed by several states.
06:04Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has criticized the delay and called for a Pelangana-style caste census, one that involves public consultation rather than being decided behind closed doors.
06:17He argues that caste data is essential for addressing inequality and ensuring justice for historically marginalized communities.
06:26As India prepares for this massive undertaking, the 2027 census stands to reshape not just the country's demographic understanding but also its political future.
06:38With caste, gender representation and federal balance at stake, the implications of this census will echo across generations.
06:47That brings us to the end of today's segment.
06:52The 2027 census promises to be more than just a headcount.
06:56It's a tool that could redefine India's political map and social policies.
